A platinum jubilee: Palm Beach Heart Ball celebrates 70 years of supporting American Heart Association research
PALM BEACH, Fla., March 10, 2025 – At 70 years old, the Palm Beach Heart Ball looked better than ever Feb. 13 at the Breakers, where a “Wild at Heart” theme inspired animal print gowns and accessories, and even actresses dressed as peacocks.
At nearly 600 guests, this was the highest-attended Palm Beach Heart Ball in recent history. The campaign had a record-breaking year, raising more than $2.6 million for the American Heart Association.
Co-chairmen Tara Vecellio and Marie Unanue kept the event exciting with multiple auctions, dinner and dancing. The Grand Honorary Chairmen were Patrick and Milly Park, and the Honorary Chairmen were Kathryn C. Vecellio, Julie Rudolph, Monika Preston, Annie Falk and Margie Allinson. The event was emceed by WPBF’s Tiffany Kenney. The lively room was full of music and conversation, silent only to hear the powerful story of a young survivor: Oscar Stuebe, whose mom Sarah saved his life with CPR after his heart was stopped by a baseball strike in spring 2024.
“We are grateful to our volunteer leaders for making CPR a part of so many important conversations this year,” says Stacey Comerford, executive director of the American Heart Association Palm Beach County. “The American Heart Association is working to have at least one person in every household in the United States know Hands-Only CPR because it can truly save lives and make a dramatic impact.”
The Presenting Corporate Sponsor was Tampa General Hospital, which is the primary teaching hospital of the USF Health Morsani College of Medicine. Dr. Murray Shames, vice president, surgeon-in-chief and co-director of the TGH Heart and Vascular Institute, shared remarks with the audience about the critical ways the American Heart Association has helped advance cardiovascular research, and how that is impacting the future of medicine. The exclusive magazine sponsor of the Palm Beach Heart Ball is Palm Beach Illustrated, and the exclusive TV sponsor is WPBF.
Additional major sponsors include: Lugano, United Bank, Park Foundation, Patrick and Milly Park, Marie and Andy Unanue, Paula Butler, Christine E. Lynn, Kathryn and Leo Vecellio, AUA Private Equity, Cleveland Clinic Florida, Flagstar Private Bank, Goya, and HCA Florida Healthcare, supported by the HCA Healthcare Foundation.
The 70th Annual Palm Beach Heart Ball was made possible by the support of every American Heart Association volunteer leader, including Vice Chairmen Amy Baier, Wendy Cox, Jill Davis, Rebecca Doane, Michele Leiner, Cathryn Oskouei, Amanda Polk, Ilona Ponomariova, Melissa Sullivan and Mary Frances Walde; Auction Chairmen Mary Mahoney, Virginia Oatley and Julie Rudolph, Heart’s Delight Chairman Lore Smith, Assistant Heart’s Delight Chairman Jennifer Nawrocki, and Friends of Heart Chairmen Daphne Oz Jovanovic, Trent Swift, Cameron Preston and Mary Willis.
Learn more about the work of the American Heart Association at heart.org, or contact the American Heart Association Palm Beach office at PBC@heart.org.
About the American Heart Association
The American Heart Association is a relentless force for a world of longer, healthier lives. Dedicated to ensuring equitable health in all communities, the organization has been a leading source of health information for more than one hundred years. Supported by more than 35 million volunteers globally, we fund groundbreaking research, advocate for the public’s health, and provide critical resources to save and improve lives affected by cardiovascular disease and stroke. By driving breakthroughs and implementing proven solutions in science, policy and care, we work tirelessly to advance health and transform lives every day. Connect with us on heart.org, Facebook, Instagram and X.
For Media Inquiries:
Nina Barbero, APR
